John

Hi, leaving for London on Thursday. Returning on Saturday the 18th. Anyone have the current weather, and five to ten day forcast? Also, someone recommended not taking as much cash, and using credit cards instead. Will we find them readily accepted in most places?

Lori

John, <BR>You don't need much "cash", you can use your credit cards almost everyplace for almost everything, in fact right off I cannot remember anyplace that did not want to take one (there probably are places, but we never saw them). There are ATM's all over the place, i.e. in front of all the banks, so getting money is no problem either. You might want to figure on taking some cash to pay the taxi if you are taking one in from the airport tho, (British pounds that is, or you can change some money at the airport if you can't get some beforehand.) Even the Underground takes credit cards when you buy a Travelcard so it is very easy to get around with very little hard cash on you. Frankly it is just easier to use your card anyway, we did it even for buying grocery items, etc. Have a good time.

Debbie

John - As for the weather, check out the weather site at USA today (www.usatoday.com/weather) or the Weather Channel site (www.weather.com). Those are only a couple of suggestions, but will get you started in the right direction. Typically, forecasts only go about 5 days out. <BR> <BR>Have fun in London.

Jo

Just to make it clear (like the weather forecasts usually don't) we have exceptional weather in London at the moment. Warm and calm. Be warned though, that in warm weather London Underground can get stiflingly hot. Try and bus it on the hot days. <BR>

elaine

Hi John <BR>As indicated above, use credit cards as much as possible for the best exchange rate, and get cash from ATMs with your debit card as you need it. You might want to go over with some pounds to get yourself from the airport to your hotel, or you can exchange some money at the airport exchange, or use an ATM there. <BR> <BR>Here are some more weather websites. My experience with them is that the forecasts vary quite a bit from site to site, but you can sort of average them and hope for the best. Certainly take an umbrella anyway. <BR> <BR>www.worldclimate.com/ <BR>www.nytimes.com/ <BR>www.cnn.com/WEATHER/ <BR>http://www.weatherpost.com Washington Post. Includes historical weather data <BR>www.intellicast.com/weather <BR>http://travel.epicurious.com/travel/...ther/intro.htm <BR> <BR>

elaine

Hi John <BR>As indicated above, use credit cards as much as possible for the best exchange rate, and get cash from ATMs with your debit card as you need it. You might want to go over with some pounds to get yourself from the airport to your hotel, or you can exchange some money at the airport exchange, or use an ATM there. <BR> <BR>Here are some more weather websites. My experience with them is that the forecasts vary quite a bit from site to site, but you can sort of average them and hope for the best. Certainly take an umbrella anyway. <BR> <BR>www.worldclimate.com/ <BR>www.nytimes.com/ <BR>www.cnn.com/WEATHER/ <BR>http://www.weatherpost.com Washington Post. Includes historical weather data <BR>www.intellicast.com/weather <BR>http://travel.epicurious.com/travel/...ther/intro.htm <BR> <BR>

Kiwi_

Thank you.

Harriett

For more than you may want to know about London right this minute, check out www.thisislondon.com -- it's the online version of the Evening Standard newspaper, complete with today's weather, restaurants, theatre, clubs, local and national news, tons more. <BR> <BR>Have a great trip!

cgc

Dear John, <BR> <BR>I use the BBC online <BR> <BR>http://www.bbc.co.uk/weather/ <BR>for the weather in UK when I visited there last July to Aug. As mentioned by one of the posters, London is warmer than usual these days. <BR> <BR>You can get the weather pattern for last year and this year so far in the BBC site (to give you an idea what kind of weather to expect during your stay). <BR> <BR>Also, I used my "debit card" for most of my expenses (for all reputable companies or transactions), I go to the bank there when I need cash (some banks have better exchange rates than others and no fee paid, unlike ATM where you have to pay fee). I prefer them over the Bu. de Exchange. (Honkong and Shanghai Bank (HSB) was more disadvantageous, in terms of exchange rate. <BR> <BR>My average for the exchange rates were about $1.62 per £1.00; while the rates there can range from $1.66-1.72 per £1.00 during the month of July to Aug. this year. <BR> <BR>Good luck and please let me know of your trip when you come back. I am creating a site that will be useful for travelers, based on experience of other travelers. <BR> <BR>I started it already but is not ready yet. <BR> <BR>CGC -- 990907